We’re increasing the salaries of our lowest paid healthcare assistants (HCAs) and maternity support workers (MSWs) to better reflect the work they do.

Four years ago, the NHS Staff Council, which is responsible for much of the pay banding in the health service, clarified the different roles and responsibilities of Band 2 and Band 3 staff.

Band 2 HCAs and MSWs provide personal care such as feeding and bathing patients and recording patient information, while Band 3s perform limited clinical tasks under supervision.

After these changes were made, we started working with union representatives from Unison, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives to re-band all Band 2 HCAs and MSWs at our Trust to Band 3.

We are also providing backpay to cover the period since October 2021.

Our Chief People Officer, Janine La Rosa, said:

I’m delighted we’re making these improvements for some of our lowest paid colleagues to ensure they’re paid properly for the work they do.

They are a vital part of our clinical teams and they make a huge difference to the care our patients receive.